This archive report was first published on 15 July 2020.
As of July 15, 2020, a total of 450 healthcare workers in the country have tested positive for COVID-19, with four fatalities reported.
Health Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Dr. Rashid Aman emphasized the need to protect healthcare workers, who are at the forefront of the fight against the pandemic.
Dr. Aman attributed the transmission of the virus among healthcare workers to overcrowding, lack of established infection control practices, and poor implementation of infection prevention control guidelines.
He also highlighted inadequate training in infection prevention and control measures for frontline workers and support staff in health facilities as a contributing factor.
“Lack of knowledge in infection prevention and control leaves them exposed to the respiratory-borne infectious disease due to lack of personal protective equipment,” Dr. Aman said.
To mitigate the risk of transmission, the Ministry of Health has introduced several measures, including isolating patients with suspected COVID-19 infection, encouraging healthcare workers to have a high level of clinical suspicion, and establishing well-equipped triage stations at the entrance of every health facility.
Healthcare workers will also be encouraged to apply standard precautions to all patients at all times, including the use of personal protective equipment, hand and respiratory hygiene, safe waste management, and sterilizing patient care equipment.
